5 years ago, 2013
School Superintendent Charlie Van Zant Jr. hired Jacksonville attorney Michael Korn to file a lawsuit against the Clay County School Board over a dispute in which he alleged the board had no right in writing job descriptions for district staff.

The Clay County Board of Commissioners voted to officially end ties with the Keystone Heights Volunteer Fire Department, a move that would later end up in the courts.

In a runoff election, incumbent Green Cove Springs City Council member Felecia Hampshire defeated challenger Alan M. Stevenson by six votes to return to a third term on the council.

10 years ago, 2008
Newly-elected Town Council Member Steve Howard nominated Barbara Davidson to serve on the town’s Planning and Zoning Board, however, the motion failed for lack of a second.

The U.S. Navy held a public hearing in Orange Park to explain the impact of what would become some of its newest neighbors – P8A Multi-Mission Maritime Aircraft.

One woman was injured and 10 families were left homeless in a fire at the Kings Tree Apartments on Kingsley Avenue across from Orange Park Medical Center. Officials said the fire caused $10 million damage.

20 years ago, 1998
Progress continued on a $3.5 million outpatient facility at 2300 Park Ave. in Orange Park. When complete, the center would host offices for Nemours and Baptist/St. Vincent’s Ambulatory Services Inc.

The Board of County Commissioners voted to share half of a one-cent sales tax voters would vote on with the Clay County School Board. The school district would use the funds solely for building repair and construction.

A Gold tournament held by Orange Park Rotary Club raised $93,000 to aid with the war on cancer. The funds were donated to the American Cancer Society.

30 years ago, 1988
Clay County Commissioners said Columbia Paving would have to sue the county to recoup $27,000 the company says it cost for paving work at the Clay County Fairgrounds because the work was done without a purchase order.

Clay County officials said faulty wiring may be the cause of a mid-day fire at Bible Baptist Church at 3060 Moody Ave. near Orange Park.

An apparent joyride in a Clay County Sheriff’s Office cruiser began on Loch Rane Boulevard and ended on Lakeshore Boulevard with the car’s lights flashing and headlights on after Lt. Mike Batcho left his car unattended at Ronnie’s Wings and Raw Bar.

40 years ago, 1978
The Green Cove Springs City Council approved a measure establishing a city youth swim team after a presentation by Mary Ann Hembley, a youth swim instructor.

An eight-hour County Commission meeting led to commissioners instating a 60-day “cooling off period” for the CETA program after County Comptroller George Carlisle found discrepancies in how fiscal responsibilities are to be shared with the county and the program.

A group of residents formed Clay County Citizens Coalition to fight the Jacksonville Electric Authority’s plan to build a coal-fired electric generating plant here in Clay County.